The Life & Times of AVMA Student Externs in Our Nation's Capital

Archive for July, 2008

It has been quite busy around the AVMA-GRD recently. In fact, you would think that DC as a whole was running on energy drinks and espresso. Here’s a little bit of what’s been going on. On Monday July 28th, our newest staff member, Gina Luke (picture to follow) started as the Assistant Director who […]

Well we are officially back from the AVMA Convention. And I have added some pictures below so you can see some of what we did. I have to say overall that is was a fun experience. We had the opportunity to talk to countless groups and executive boards about the Fellowship program, and we even […]

What a day it has been! Today, the Fellows and I had a number of meetings and were privileged enough to attend the AVMAPAC luncheon with approximately 300 AVMA members, it was a great experience. At the luncheon, we got to hear Charlie Cook speak and offer insight on the presidential election. We also […]

The AVMA Leadership, staff, and some members have descended upon New Orleans over the past two days. Meetings are going on in every ballroom or meeting hall in nearly 6 hotels in the downtown area, and everyone is having a chance to meet with colleagues from across the country and even around the globe. It […]

So it is just a matter of hours before the AVMA GRD staff takes flight for New Orleans! We are headed to the 145th AVMA Convention where we will educate members on the importance of government involvement, visit associated and allied groups, sign up members for the AVMA-CAN and AVMAPAC as well […]

I am sure this is a question you are asking yourself, and the answer is, I’m not really sure. Well, that isn’t entirely true. See, the AVMA-GRD offers 10 extern spots over the course of the calendar year, but in order to be sure that externs have the best time possible we limit the summer […]

Last month, I met a former AVMA GRD extern while in Washington state at the Veterinary Leadership Experience. Jennifer’s eyes were shining as she told me about her adventures on Capitol Hill, and she concluded by saying it was the single most influential and positive experience of her veterinary school career. As my tenure at […]

For the first time in close to two months, I stepped back into a clinical setting involving dogs and cats. I spent a couple of hours this morning at the Washington Animal Rescue League, which is a premiere shelter and hospital in the D.C. area. It truly is a state-of-the-art facility with innovative measures in […]

I have always had an interest in international issues, which was one of many reasons for my decision to pursue veterinary medicine. As veterinarians, our training can provide us expertise in agriculture and other areas with potential for major economic impact. This morning, I met (for approximately one hour hence the title) with veterinarians involved with […]

Several weeks ago, I happened to meet a staff member of the Executive Office of the President while leaving a briefing on the Hill. This individual put me in touch with a veterinarian that works for the Executive Office, and I met with her this morning for breakfast. Dr. Michelle Colby serves as a scientific […]